This article explains how you can upgrade your Windows 10 device to Windows 11.

What to Know

  • See if your computer meets the requirements: Go to Start, type health, open PC Health Check, and click Check Now.Upgrade: Go to Start > Windows Update Settings > Check for updates. Select Download and Install under Upgrade to Windows 11.

How to Upgrade to Windows 11

You can download and install Windows 11 from the Windows Update app in Windows 10.

  • Click Start, type Windows Update, and then select Windows Update settings.
  • Select Check for updates.
  • If the Windows 11 update is available, Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready—and it’s free! is displayed. Select Download and install.
  • Read through the Software License Terms and then select Accept and install.
  • Restart the computer when prompted.
  • Sign in to your Windows account when the sign-in window appears.

Windows 11 Minimum System Requirements

To upgrade to Windows 11, your computer must meet the minimum system requirements. The Windows 11 requirements work slightly differently than previous minimum system requirements for operating systems like Windows 10.

Use the Microsoft PC Health Check app to check if you can upgrade your copy of Windows 10 to Windows 11. In the Windows Search box, type health, open PC Health Check, and click Check Now under Introducing Windows 11.

Click Start, type Windows Update, and then select Windows Update settings.

Select Check for updates.

If the Windows 11 update is available, Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready—and it’s free! is displayed. Select Download and install.

Read through the Software License Terms and then select Accept and install.

Restart the computer when prompted.

Sign in to your Windows account when the sign-in window appears.

Check out Microsoft’s system requirements page and pay careful attention to features like UEFI, Safe Boot, and TPM 2.0. These exist outside of the normal memory, processor, and graphics requirements of a Windows OS, which are otherwise similar to Windows 10.

Is Windows 11 Free?

If you’re a consumer with a legally obtained copy of Windows 10 and meet the minimum system requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

Even if your device meets the minimum requirements, you are not obligated to upgrade. Moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11 doesn’t do much for you unless you’re interested in the features of Windows 11, at least until Windows 10 support is discontinued.

If you don’t own a copy of Windows 10, Windows 11 licenses will be available for purchase.

When Did Windows 11 Launch?

Microsoft released Windows 11 to the public on October 5, 2021.

  • How long does a Windows 11 upgrade take?
  • While the initial upgrade might take longer than a Windows 10 feature update, routine Windows 11 updates should be faster. Updates will be 40 percent smaller and happen in the background, which means users can use their PCs and schedule the update for later.
  • How do I upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 11?
  • You will most likely need to purchase a Windows 11 license if your PC meets the minimum system requirements to upgrade to Windows 11. If your PC isn’t supported, use our guide to upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 10 to continue receiving support after Windows 8 end-of-life in January 2023.

While the initial upgrade might take longer than a Windows 10 feature update, routine Windows 11 updates should be faster. Updates will be 40 percent smaller and happen in the background, which means users can use their PCs and schedule the update for later.

You will most likely need to purchase a Windows 11 license if your PC meets the minimum system requirements to upgrade to Windows 11. If your PC isn’t supported, use our guide to upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 10 to continue receiving support after Windows 8 end-of-life in January 2023.

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